Case for shipping articles in an upright position and in spaced lateral separation

ABSTRACT

A case is provided for shipping one or more articles in a substantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles and portions of said case; the case comprises wall panels, an external bottom panel, a bottom indexing panel for supporting and engaging the bottom of the article by means of one or more projections rising upwardly therefrom, an internal bottom panel foldably connected to a wall panel which contains apertures adapted to fit over the projections on the bottom indexing panel to lock the bottom indexing panel in a sandwich configuration between the external and internal bottom panels. The shipping case further comprises a top indexing panel containing female recesses projecting upwardly therefrom which are adapted to fit over the top of the article, an internal top panel foldably connected to a wall panel containing apertures which are adapted to fit over the female recesses, to lock the top indexing panel in position, and an external top panel; the internal top panel is sandwiched between the top indexing panel and the external top panel. The shipping case can be provided with an article separator layer assembly when the case is used to package a plurality of layers of articles.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Robert Louis Gordon Monroe, N.Y.

[211 App]. No. 36,554

[ 22] Filed May 12, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 30, 1971 [73] AssigneeInternational Paper Company New York, N.Y.

[54] CASE FOR SHIPPING ARTICLES IN AN UPRIGI'IT POSITION AND IN SPACEDLATERAL SEPARATION 26 Claims, 21 Drawing Figs.

[52] 0.8. CI. 206/65 Y, Y 229/14 C [5|] Int.Cl B65d 71/00 [50] Field ofSearch 206/65 Y,

65 E, 65 R; 229/14 C Primary Examiner.loseph R. Leclair AssistantExaminer-Stephen P. Garbe Attorney-Lawrence W. Flynn ABSTRACT: A case isprovided for shipping one or more articles in a substantially uprightposition and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles andportions of said case; the case comprises wall panels, an externalbottom panel, a bottom indexing panel for supporting and engaging thebottom of the article by means of one or more projections risingupwardly therefrom, an internal bottom panel foldably connected to awall panel which contains apertures adapted to fit over the projectionson the bottom indexing panel to lock the bottom indexing panel in asandwich configuration between the external and internal bottom panels.

The shipping case further comprises a top indexing panel containingfemale recesses projecting upwardly therefrom which are adapted to fitover the top of the article, an internal top panel foldably connected toa wall panel containing apertures which are adapted to fit over thefemale recesses, to lock the top indexing panel in position, and anexternal top panel; the internal top panel is sandwiched between the topindexing panel and the external top panel.

The shipping case can be provided with an article separator layerassembly when the case is used to package a plurality of layers ofarticles.

PAIENTEDNDV 30 I9?! SHEET. 2 OF 6 CASE FOR SHIPPING ARTICLES IN ANUPRIGIIT POSITION AND IN SPACED LATERAL SEPARATION BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to shipping cases and, moreparticularly, to cases for shipping articles wherein, for any of thevariety of reasons, it is necessary to maintain the articles in asubstantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation fromeach other and adjoining portions of the case during transit.

Such cases are used for shipping a variety of items such as, forexample, pirns or bobbins of natural and synthetic filaments; fragilebottled items such as liquor, medicinals, and drugs", and other articleswhich can be damaged upon exposure to the impacts normally encounteredin transit of the case.

The shipping of certain polyester filaments is an illustrative exampleof a situation where it is necessary to protect the pirns of fiber fromcontact during shipment with abrasive articles; certain polyesterfilaments are extremely sensitive to the very slight abrasive forces andreadily fray or break at the surface layers on the pirn if so exposed,often resulting in the total loss of the large quantity of filament onthe pirn.

A variety of shipping cases have heretofore been proposed to provideadequate shipping cases for fragile articles. In one such case, theindividual articles are packaged between lateral separator partitionsand are often further enclosed in a plastic bag to protect them duringshipment. Such packages are expensive and are not entirely satisfactorybecause of the abrasive forces which can be exerted by the lateralpartitions against the surfaces of the article upon subjection of thecase to impact.

In another package, unrestrained article indexing panels are provided atthe top and bottom of the package to grasp the top and bottom portionsof the articles in an attempt to prevent lateral movement of thearticles upon impact. These indexing panels typically comprise acorrugated cardboard panel containing a plurality of die-cut holes whichengage the top and bottom of the articles. Among the disadvantages ofsuch cases are the abrasion to the articles which occurs when the roughdie-cut apertures rub against the article. Moreover, since the indexingpanels are unrestrained, they have a tendency, upon subjection toimpact, to crumple and roll up along their edges with the result thatthey no longer effectively perform their function of maintaining thearticles in an upright position and in spaced lateral relationship fromeach other.

In yet another prior art case, top and bottom indexing panels areprovided which are integrally attached to the walls of the case. Thesepanels contain apertures into which the bottom and top portions of thearticles are insertable. While such an arrangement reduces damage to theindexing panels upon lateral impact, the problem still remains of thecorrugated diecut holes abrading the article which they are restraining;moreover, there is a tendency for the holes in the indexing panels towear away about their periphery during transit and upon impact and nolonger firmly restrain the tops and bottoms of the article due to theenlargement of the periphery. A further disadvantage of cartonsemploying top and bottom indexing panels occurs in situations where itis desirable to remove only one article from a case containing aplurality of articles; the entire indexing panels must usually beremoved and thereupon reinserted over the remaining articles when thecase is reclosed. Additionally, inspection of the contents of the caseis difficult without removing an indexing panel.

It is apparent that if the articles are not maintained in asubstantially upright position, any stacking strength which theassembled case may possess is minimized, at least in the case where thearticle itself possesses some support strength. If the shipping casewill not insure that the articles will remain in the upright positionduring transit, it becomes necessary to provide for reinforced andstronger wall panels in the package to provide the vertical stackingstrength ordinarily required. Such a measure, of course, results in amore expensive package. It is also apparent that great damage can bedone to the contents of the case upon subjection to impact if thecontents are thrown against each other or against the walls of the case.

lt is a general object of this invention to provide an inexpensive, andreadily assembled case for shipping one or more articles in asubstantially upright position and in spaced lateral relationship fromeach other and from the adjoining walls of the case.

it is another object of this invention to provide a shipping casewherein the strength of the articles contained therein is employed toprovide enhanced stacking strength of the cases.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a shipping case whicheffectively prevents lateral movement of the articles contained thereinwhen the case is subjected to an impact.

It is another object of this invention to restrain the tops and bottomsof packaged articles against lateral movement upon impact by means ofindexing panels which are not damaged upon subjection of the carton toimpact thereby losing their effectiveness.

It is another object of this invention to restrain the tops and bottomsof the articles of thecase against lateral movement by means of anapertured smooth nonabrasive surface whose apertures cannot be worn awayand enlarged during transit.

It is another object of this invention to provide a shipping case whicheffectively minimizes disengagement of the articles from the top andbottom indexing means upon subjection of the case to impact.

It is a further object of this invention to provide flexible indexingpanels which are readily disengaged from the article to permit removingone article at a time without the need for removing and then replacingan entire indexing panel.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from a complete reading of this specifi cation and,in particular, the description of the preferred embodiments of thisinvention and drawings describing these preferred embodiments which arepresented hereinbelow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The advantageous features enumeratedhereinabove are obtained by providing a shipping case which comprises aplurali' ty of wall panels which are foldably interconnected to form awall panel unit, with an end panel of this unit having foldably attachedthereto a sealing flap which is affixed to the opposed end panel of theunit.

The bottom portion of the case comprises at least one external bottompanel which is foldably connected to a wall panel, and a base panel forsupporting and indexing the articles to be packaged in the case. Thebase panel contains therein at least one projection rising in an uprightdirection from the plane of the base panel, the projection having any ofa variety of configurations which are adapted to communicate with, andengage, at least a portion of the bottom section of the article to bepackaged so as to index the articles in spaced lateral separation fromadjoining articles and portions of the case and to effectively preventany substantial lateral movement of the bottom section of the articlerelative to the base panel. There is also provided at least one internalbottom panel which is foldably connected to a wall panel; this internalbottom panel contains therein at least one aperture which is adapted tofit snugly over the projection of the base indexing panel to lock thebase indexing panel in a sandwiched configuration between the externaland internal bottom panels. lt will be seen that this locking featureeffectively eliminates the possibility of any substantial lateralmovement of the bottom indexing panel when the carton is subject toimpact thereby assuring maintenance of the desired spaced lateralrelationship between the articles during transit.

The top portion of the carton comprises a top panel for indexing theupper portion of the articles in the carton, the top indexing panelcontaining therein at least one female recess projecting upwardly fromthe plane of the cover panel; this recess is adapted to fit snugly overat least a portion of the top section of the article. There also isprovided at least one internal top panel which is foldably connected toa wall panel and .which contains therein at least a single aperturewhich is adapted to fit snugly over that portion of the female recess ofthe top indexing panel into which the top portion of the article isinserted. The case further comprises at least one external top panelwhich is foldably connected to a wall panel. The internal top panel issandwiched between the cover indexing panel and the external top panel.It will be seen that the effect of the sandwich configuration is toeffectively prevent any substantial lateral movement of the top indexingpanel when the case is subjected to impact by locking the cover indexingpanel firmly in position.

The shipping case of this invention can be modified in a variety ofways. For example, it can be provided with a rigid member whichcommunicates with both the internal and external top panels and whichfunctions to maintain the internal top panel apertures firmly emplacedover the female recesses of the cover indexing panel when the externaltop panels of the carton are sealed. This feature provides a downwardpressure on the top indexing panel which insures that the femalerecesses of the top indexing panel remain firmly engaged with the top ofthe article and do not dislodge or separate from the top of the articleupon subjection of the case to impact.

The shipping case of this invention can be employed to ship a pluralityof articles either in a single layer or in a plurality of layers.Multilayer shipping cases are readily prepared by providing a separatorlayer assembly between each layer of articles. Typical separator layerassemblies are described in greater detail hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a blank of the wall, top,and bottom panels of a preferred embodiment of a shipping case of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a cover indexing panelfor engaging and indexing the tops of the articles to be packaged.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a base panel forsupporting and indexing the bottoms of the articles to be packaged.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken along lines 4-4 and 5-5 of FIGS.2 and 3, respectively.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of ashipping case of this invention and illustrates fiber pims as a typicalarticle for packaging in the case.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing sequentially the assembly ofthe bottom portion of the carton and, in particular, the sandwiching ofthe bottom indexing panel between the internal and external bottompanels of the case.

FIGS. 9 to II are perspective views illustrating mounting of the pirnsin the bottom of the case, placement of top indexing panel over thearticles, closing and sealing of the internal and external top panels tothereby lock the top indexing panel in position.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views taken along the lines 12-12 and13-13 of the assembled shipping case of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 12- 12 of FIG.11 of the three panels comprising the bottom of the case and illustratesan embodiment of the case wherein the external and internal bottompanels are adhesively attached together through perforations in thebottom indexing panel.

FIGS. 15 through 17 are side sectional views of a mounted pirn of FIG.11 and illustrate several embodiments of the bottom indexing panel.

FIG. 18 is a side sectional view of a mounted pim of FIG. 11 andillustrates another embodiment of a cover indexing panel.

FIG. 19 is a partial exploded view in perspective illustrating anembodiment of a separator layer assembly used to separate adjoininglayers of articles in a multilaycred shipping case.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the assembled layer of FIG. 19 takenalong the line 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line 20-20 of FIG. 19illustrating a second embodiment of the separator layer assembly of FIG.19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of theshipping case of this invention is conveniently prepared from threebasic parts,

I. a single unit blank from which the external and internal bottompanels, the external and internal top panels, and the wall panels of thecase are fabricated;

2. a top indexing panel; and

3 a bottom indexing and support panel.

The Shipping Case Blank The single unit blank is shown in FIG. 1 whereasthe separate bottom and top indexing panels are shown in FIGS. 3 and 2,respectively.

Referring to FIG. 1, it is seen that blank 30 comprises panels 31, 32,33 and 34 which form a wall panel unit and which are foldablyinterconnected by means of hinges 35,36 and 37, respectively. End panel34 of the wall panel unit is provided with sealing flap 38 which isfoldably connected to panel 34 by means of hinge 39. In the assembledcase, flap 38 is affixed to the outer edge area 40 of opposed end panel31 of the unit by means of staples, adhesive, glue or other adhesivemeans. It is seen that opposed wall panels 31 and 33 and 32 and 34 areof substantially the same width so as to provide an assembled shippingcase of a substantially rectangular configuration. The dimensions of thewall panels are in no way significant although it is preferred thatopposed wall panels have a substantially equal width.

External bottom panels 41 and 42 are foldably connected to opposed wallpanels 31 and 33 by means of hinges 43 and 44, respectively. Aperturedinternal bottom panels 45 and 46' are foldably connected to opposed wallpanels 32 and 34 by means of hinges 47a and 48, respectively.

It is seen that internal bottom panels 45 and 46 each contain therein aplurality of substantially evenly spaced circular aper tures 47 alignedin two horizontal rows, which, as is more fully discussed hereinbelow,are adapted to fit snugly over the projecting female recesses of thebottom indexing panel. The shape, form, alignment or other configurationof apertures 47 is not significant since these factors are predicatedupon the shape, form, alignment andsuch of the projections 72 extendingupwardly from the bottom indexing panel which apertures 47 peripherallyengage as made clear hereinbelow.

External top panels 48 and 49 are foldably connected to opposed wallpanels 31 and 33 by means of hinges 50 and 51, respectively. Internaltop panels 52 and 53 are foldably connected to opposed wall panels 32and 34 by means of hinges 54 and 55, respectively. Internal top panels52 and 53 contain a plurality of substantially evenly spaced circularapertures 56 aligned in two horizontal rows whose shape, form, alignmentor other configuration are adapted to insure their insert about theperiphery of the upwardly projecting female recesses of the top indexingpanel as made clear hereinbelow.

Flaps 57 and 58 are foldably connected to internal top panels 52 and 53by means of hinges 59 and 60, respectively. In the assembled shippingcase, flaps 57 and 58 are folded towards the upper surface of panels 52and 53 in order to provide communication between these upper surfacesand the bottom surfaces of external top panels 48 and 49. The functionof flaps 57 and 58 will become clearer from the ensuring description.

The blank of FIG. 1 can be prepared from a variety of known packagingmaterials. It is preferably prepared from a single unit of die-cutcorrugated board. The thickness of the blank is not significant and isordinarily selected to provide the strength required for the envisioneduse of the case.

The Bottom Indexing-Support Panel The bottom indexing and support panelis shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Referring to these figures, it is seen thatpanel 70 comprises an essentially planar sheet 71 having a transversearea adapted to fit snugly between the walls of the shipping case. Panel70 contains thereon a plurality of substantially evenly spacedcircularly shaped projections 72 in the form of a hollow cylindricalwall 73 rising vertically from the plane of sheet 71. The function ofprojections 72 is to communicate with, and snugly engage, the bottomportion 74 of the article 75 to be packaged as best seen in FIG. 5. Theengagement between projection 72 and portion 74 of member 75 issufficiently snug to'eliminate any substantial lateral movement ofportion 74 with respect to sheet 70. The geometric configuration ofprojection 72 may take any of a variety of forms provided that the fonnof the projection accomplishes the aforementioned function.

Referring to FIG. 5, it is seen that projection 72 is of a substantiallycylindrical configuration and contains disposed therein a female recess76 into which the bottom portion 74 of article 75 is snugly insertable.The dimensions and exact configuration of female recess 76 aredetermined by the dimensions and configuration of the bottom portion ofthe article to be shipped and which is to rest in recess 76. Forexample, the configuration of recess 76 can be rectangular, triangular,and square shaped in addition to the cylindrical configuration shown inFIGS. 3 and 5. The upper edges of wall 76 of projection 72 are providedwith a slight bevel 77 to facilitate insertion and indexing of portion74 of article 75 into recess 76.

A variety of other embodiments of projections 72 are shown in FIGS.through 17. Referring to FIG. 15, it is seen that projection 72comprises an external cylindrical wall 80 en compassing therein aninternal cylindrical wall 81, walls 80 and 81 being in spacedrelationship from one another to define an annular chamber 82 into whichthe bottom portion 83 of a cylindrical tubular article 84 is snuglyinsertable. The height of wall 81 is illustratively approximatelyone-third that of wall 80. However, the height of wall 81 could begreater, equal to, or less than that of wall 80.

Referring to FIG. 16, it is seen that projection 72 is in the form of aplug which comprises a cylindrical wall 90 containing' disposed thereina hemispherical female recess 91 which snugly receives the bottomportion 92 of article 93.

Referring to FIG. 17, it is seen that projection 72 comprises acylindrical male plug 100 which is snugly insertable into the hollowinterior of the bottom portion 101 of article 102. In all of theprojections 72 shown in FIGS. 15 through 17, it is desirable to providea slight bevel 103 in areas of the walls of projections 72 which areadjacent to the bottom portion of the article to be mounted in order tofacilitate mounting of the at ticle onto projections 72.

The Top Indexing Panel A preferred embodiment of a top indexing panel isshown in FIGS. 2 and 4, respectively. Referring to these figures, it isseen that top indexing panel 110 comprises a flat planar sheet 111having a transverse area adapted to fit snugly between the walls of theassembled shipping case. Panel 110 contains disposed therein a pluralityof substantially evenly spaced circular projections 112 extendingvertically upward from the plane of sheet 11 l. The nature of anillustrative projection 112 is best shown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG.4, it is seen that projection 112 comprises a frustoconical wall portion113 atop of which integrally attached a cylindrical wall member 114containing disposed therein a recess 115 which defines a downwardlyprojecting male plug 116. The frustoconical and cylindrical wallportions 113 and 114 define a female recess 116a extending upwardly fromsheet 111. The upper portion 117 of article 118 is snugly inserted intothe female recess 116a of projection 112 engaging only the innersurfaces of the cylindrical wall 114. The frustoconical section 113 ofprojection 112 is provided as a means for effectively guiding panel 110over the top portions 117 of article 118.

FIG. 18 depicts another embodiment of a top indexing panel for use witharticles having an enlarged upper neck portion such as, for example, awhisky bottle. Referring to FIG. 18, it is seen that female recess 120rising upwardly from sheet 111 is defined by a frustoconical wallsection 121 on top of which is integrally attached an elongatedcylindrical wall member 122. The upper portion 123 of article 124 issnugly insertable only into that portion of recess defined bycylindrical wall member 122. Cylindrical wall member 122 can be providedwith a slight taper (as shown in FIG. 18) to accommodate the taper ofportion 123 of the article 124. Frustroconical wall member 121 againfunctions as a means for effectively guiding the placement of topindexing panel 1 10 on top of the articles 124 in assembling the case.

Bottom indexing panel 70 and top indexing panel 110 can be fabricatedfrom a variety of known materials. However, they are preferablyfabricated from a plastic material which will draw well onthermo-forming equipment, and which has a smooth surface so that anycontact which may occur between indexing panels 70 and 110 and thearticles in the shipping case will not cause abrasion or other damage tothe articles. It is likewise preferred that the plastic be flexible andgives somewhat upon impact so as the to not cause shattering or crackingof the plastic upon subjection of the shipping case to impact.

A certain amount of clarity is also preferred to permit inspection, at aglance, of the contents of the case. Flexibility of the plastic isadditionally preferred to permit one end of the top indexing panel to bepeeled away so as to allow removal of a single article from the packagewithout the necessity of removing the entire panel. Among the plasticswhich may be employed in preparing panels 70 and 110 are polyethylene,styrene, and polypropylene; polyethylene is a preferred fabricationmaterial.

Assembly of the Case At this point, it becomes convenient to discuss aconvenient method for assembling the preferred embodiment of the case ofthis invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment ofa partially assembled shipping case of this invention showing thepackaging therein, in a single layer, of a plurality of typical fiberpirns and the positioning of the bottom and top indexing panels 70 and110.

The package is assembled by first forming the bottom layers of thepackage as most clearly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 wherein, it should benoted, the case has been turned upside down from the view shown in FIG.6 in order to more clearly detail the assembly of the bottom of thecase. The first step in assembling the case is to crease hinges 35, 36and 37 to thereby permit joining wall panels 31, 32, 33 and 34 togetherby means of flap 38, as heretofore discussed, to produce the basic caseassembly shown in upside down position in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, internal bottom panels 45 and 46 are thereuponfolded inwardly in the direction of wall panels 32 and 33, respectively,to form a bottom panel plane wherein the edges and 141 of panels 45 and46 abut. Bottom indexing panel 70 is then placed onto abutting internalbottom panels 45 and 46 with projections 72 of panel 70 aligned withapertures 47 of panels 45 and 46. Panel 70 is pressed down againstbottom panels 45 and 46 to insert projections 72 snugly into apertures47, thereby locking bottom indexing panel 70 into internal bottom panels45 and 46. External bottom panels 41 and 42 are then folded inwardly inthe direction of wall panels 31 and 33, respectively, as shown mostclearly in FIG. 8 to complete the assembly of the bottom of the shippingcase. External bottom panels 41 and 42 are maintained in a closedposition by placing a piece of tape 142 or other suitable adhesive meansacross their abutting edges as shown in FIG. 9.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 14, sheet 71 of bottom indexingpanel 70 can be provided with a plurality of apertures 125, the functionof which is to permit internal bottom panel 45 and external bottom panel48 to be adhesively joined by means of a dab 126 of adhesive or glue soas to even more firmly lock sheet 71 of bottom indexing panel 70 betweenthe internal and external bottom panels. The shape, form, dimensions,number, and configuration of apertures 125 is not significant and can bevaried to suit the needs of each shipping case.

The partially assembled case is then turned 180' into the uprightposition to rest the bottom on a support surface as shown in FIG. 9 forloading of the articles into the case. The

. articles to be packaged, in this case fiber pirns 130, are thenmounted into projections 72 of bottom indexing panel 70 as shown in FIG.9 and as more clearly shown in FIG. until the case is filled with alayer of pirns. Top indexing panel 110 is then placed over the tops ofthe pirns as shown in FIG. 9 and pressed downwardly to firmly insert thetop portion of the pirns, as best seen in FIG. 4, into that portion offemale recess 116a defined by the cylindrical wall 114 of projection112. It an be seen that frustoconical section 113 of projection 112provides a convenient guide mechanism for readily and quickly insertingpanel 110 onto the tops of the pirns.

Internal top panels 52 and 53 are then folded inwardly towards wallpanels 32 and 34 until circular apertures 56 of panels 52 and 53 fitperipherally about the cylindrical wall 114 of projections 112 of topindexing panel 110, as shown in FIG. 10. The snug communication betweenthe cylindrical periphery 114 of projection 112 and the periphery ofapertures 56 of panels 52 and 53 looks top indexing panel 1 10 in asecure manner which prevents any substantial lateral movement of thepanel upon subjection of the case to impact.

When internal top panels 52 and 53 have been fitted about thecylindrical walls 114 of projections 112, flaps 57 and 58 of panels 52and 53 are folded outwardly in the direction of the outer surface ofpanels 52 and 53 along hinges 59 and 60, respectively, as shown in FIG.10. External top panels 48 and 49 are then folded inwardly in thedirection of wall panels 31 and 33 as shown in FIG. 11 and the case issealed either by means of a fine layer of adhesive 143, glue, or othersealing means along the outer edge of panels 52 and 53 and/or byjoining. the abutting edges I44, 145 of panels 48 and 49 by tape 146 asshown in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are longitudinal and transverse sectional views of theassembled case. Referring to theses figures, it can be seen how theapertures 47 and 56 in both the internal bottom and top panels functionto peripherally enclose the projections 72 and 112 of both the bottomand top indexing panels 70 and 110 to effectively lock panels 70 and 110in place and prevent any substantial movement in the event of impact.

Referring to FIG. 17, it is seen in the case where the lower portion 101of article 102 fits over the periphery of the projection 72 instead ofbeing inserted into the projection 72 as is the case in FIG. 16, thatthe apertures 47 in bottom panels 45 and 46 are dimensioned to providean annular groove 150 between the inner periphery of apertures 47 andthe outer periphery of projection 72 into which the bottom portion 101of member 102 is inserted. In such a case, bottom indexing panel 70 isheld into position by the combined restraining influences of bottomportion 101 of member 102 and apertures 47 of bottom panels 45 and 46whereby lateral movement of bottom indexing panel 70 is effectivelyprevented.

The functions of flaps 57 and 58 of internal top panels 52 and 53 isbest seen in FIG. 13. Flaps 57 and 58 each communicate with bothinternal top panels 52, 53 and external top panels 48, 49 while internaltop panels 52, 53 directly communicate with top indexing panel 110. Whenexternal top panels 48 and 49 are sealed shut, a downward force isexerted by these panels which is transmitted through flaps 57 and 58 tointernal top panels 52 and 53 which in turn transmit this force toadjacent top indexing panel 110 to assure the continued engagement offemale recesses 116a of projections 112 of panel 110 with the tops ofthe packaged pirns. This feature minimizes disengagement of top indexingpanel 110 from the tops of the pirns during shipment when the case issubjected to impact.

Multilayered Shipping Cases The shipping cases of this invention areadaptable for packaging a plurality of articles in a plurality ofadjoining layers. In such a case, the blank used is identical in allrespects to that already described except that wall panels 31, 32, 33,

and 34 are of extended length to accommodate whatever case height isnecessitated by the plurality of layers of articles present therein. Ina multilayered shipping case, the bottoms of the articles comprising thebottom layer of the case are mounted on bottom indexing panel 70 in amanner similar to that already described. However, it becomes necessaryto provide a separator layer assembly between each adjoining layer asthe additional layers are added. In general, such an assembly consistsof a multitiered layer which comprises a top indexing panel, asheretofore described, engaging the tops of the articles of the bottomlayer, an apertured first separator pad on top of the top indexing panelwith the apertures peripherally circumscribing the upright femalerecesses of the top indexing panel, a bottom indexing panel asheretofore described resting atop the first separator pad containingupright projections to engage the bottoms of the adjoining upper layerof articles, and an apertured second separator pad on top of the bottomindexing panel whose apertures peripherally circumscribe the projectionsof the bottom indexing panel. The tops of the articles comprising theuppermost layer of the case are secured in the manner heretoforediscussed for single layered cases. If more than two layers of articlesare contemplated, the number of such separator assemblies required inthe finished case is one less than the number of layers of articles inthe case.

An exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a separator layer assemblyis shown in FIG. 19 with FIG. 20 showing a sectional view of theassembled separator layer. Referring to these Figures, the separatorlayer assembly comprises to top layer indexing panel 160 which issubstantially identical to panel and which fits over the tops of thepirns 161 which make up the lower layer of the case in the manner shownin FIG. 4. Resting atop top indexing panel is a first separator panel162 containing a plurality of circular apertures 163 which fit about theperiphery of the projections 164 arising from top indexing panel 160 ina manner similar to that discussed hereinabove with respect to internaltop panels 52 and 53. Resting atop apertured first separator layer 162is a second separator panel 165. The inclusion of panel 165 is preferredbut is optional. Resting on top of panel 165 is bottom indexing panel166 which is substantially identical to bottom indexing panel 70 alreadydescribed. Projections 167 rise upwardly from panel 166 to receive andsupport the bottoms of pirns 168 which form the upper layer, in a mannersubstantially identical to that shown in FIG. 5. Resting on top ofbottom indexing panel 166 is a third separator layer 169 containingtherein a plurality of circular apertures 170 which peripherallycircumscribe projections 167 of panel 166 in a manner similar to thatdiscussed hereinabove with respect to internal bottom panels 45 and 46.Once the uppermost layer of pirns is mounted on bottom indexing panel166 of the separator layer assembly, the top of the package is formed,closed, and sealed in a manner substantially identical to that alreadydescribed hereinabove and shown in FIGS. 9 through 1 1.

FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of a separator layer assembly which issubstantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 except that thethree separator layers 162, 165, and 169 are foldably interconnectedalong hinges 171 and 172 to form an integral unit.

The specific embodiments and structure shown therein by way of exampleare illustrative only and such modifications and alterations thereof aswould be suggested to those skilled in the art are contemplated to fallwithin the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially uprightposition and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles andportions of said case, comprising:

1. A plurality of wall panels, said wall panels foldably interconnectedto form a wall panel unit, an end panel of said unit being affixed tothe opposed end panel of said unit;

2. at least one external bottom panel foldably connected to a wallpanel;

3. a bottom indexing and support panel, said indexing bottom panelhaving at least one projection rising in an upright direction from saidpanel, said projection adapted to engage at least a portion of thebottom of said article so as to prevent any substantial lateral movementof the bottom of said article relative to said bottom indexing panel; atleast one internal bottom panel foldably connected to a wall panel, saidinternal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperture which isadapted to peripherally circumscribe the projection of said bottomindexing panel, said bottom indexing panel being sandwiched between saidexternal and said internal bottom panels.

5. a top indexing 'panel containing therein at least one female recessprojecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexingpanel, said recess adapted to peripherally circumscribe at least aportion of the top of said article;

6. at least one internal top panel foldably connected to a wall panel,said internal top panel containing therein at least a single aperturewhich is adapted to peripherally circumscribe the portion of said femalerecess into which said portion of the top of said article is inserted;and

7. at least one external top panel foldably connected to a wall panel,said internal top panel being sandwiched between said top indexing paneland said external top panel.

2. The case of claim 1 wherein said bottom indexing and support paneland said top indexing panel are fabricated from a thermoformed plasticmaterial.

3. The case of claim 2 wherein said plastic material is polyethylene.

4. The case of claim 1 wherein said bottom indexing and support panelcontains a plurality of said projections and wherein said top indexingpanel contains a plurality of female recesses, and wherein said internalbottom panel and internal top panel contain a plurality of aperturescorresponding, respectively, to the number of said projections andfemale recesses.

5. The case of claim 1 wherein said projection comprises an outercylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall disposed within saidouter wall to define a circumferential groove between said inner andouter cylindrical walls into which the bottom of the article isinsertable.

6. The case of claim 1 wherein said projection comprises a cylindricalplug which provides a male plug for insertion into the bottom of thearticle.

7. The case of claim 6 wherein the aperture of said internal bottompanel is dimensioned to provide an annular groove between the peripheryof the plug and the periphery of the aperture, the bottom of the articlebeing insertable into said groove.

8. The case of claim 1 wherein said projection comprises a plug havingdisposed therein a recess of hemispherical configuration into which thebottom of the article is insertable.

9. The case of claim 1 wherein said bottom indexing and support panelcontains therein at least one aperture to provide communication betweenthe internal and external bottom panels.

10. The case of claim 9 wherein internal and external bottom panels areattached to each other by an adhesive disposed in said aperture of saidbottom indexing and support panel.

11. The case of claim 1 wherein said case contains a plurality ofinternal and external top panels and a plurality of internal andexternal bottom panels.

12. The case of claim 1 further including a flap foldably connected tothe internal top panel, said flap being folded onto the upper surface ofsaid internal top panel to provide communication between the internaland external top panels.

13. The case of claim 11 further including a plurality of flaps eachfoldably connected to an internal top panel, each of said flaps beingfolded onto the upper surface of an internal top panel to providecommunication between the internal and external top panels.

14. The case of claim 1 wherein a plurality of layers of packagedarticles are employed further including a separator layer assemblydisposed between adjacent layers of articles, said assembly comprising:

a. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recessprojecting in a substantially upright direction from said top indexingpanel, said recess adapted to peripherally circumscribe at least aportion of the top section of an article in a first lower layer of thecase;

a first separator panel containing therein at least a single apertureadapted to peripherally circumscribe the portion of said female recessof (a) into which said portion of the top section of said article in thelower layer is inserted,

panel (b) resting atop panel (a);

c. a bottom indexing and support panel resting atop said first separatorpanel, said bottom support panel having at least one projection risingin an upright direction from said bottom support panel, said projectionadapted to engage at least a portion of the bottom of an article in asecond upper layer in the case so as to prevent any substantial lateralmovement of the bottom of the article relative to said panel (c), saidsecond upper layer being vertically disposed above said first lowerlayer; and

. a second separator panel containing therein at least a single apertureadapted to peripherally circumscribe the projections of said bottomindexing panel (c), said panel (0) being sandwiched between said firstand second separator panels.

15. The case of claim 14 wherein said bottom indexing and support panel(c) contains a plurality of projections and wherein said top indexingpanel (a) contains a plurality of female recesses, and wherein the firstand second separator panels contain a plurality of aperturescorresponding, respectively, to the number of said female recesses andprojections.

16. The case of claim 14 wherein said panels (a) and (c) are fabricatedfrom a thermoformed plastic material.

17. The case of claim 14 wherein said first and second separator panelsare foldably interconnected.

18. The case of claim 14 further including a third separator panelsandwiched between said first separator panel and said bottom indexingand support panel (c).

19. The case of claim 18 wherein said first, second, and third separatorpanels are foldably interconnected.

20. A shipping case for the shipment of an article in a substantiallyupright position and in spaced lateral separation from adjoiningarticles and portions of said case, comprising:

1. four wall panels foldably interconnected to form a wall panel unit,an end panel of said unit having foldably attached thereto a sealingflap which is affixed to the opposed end panel of said unit;

2. a pair of external bottom panels foldably connected to opposed wallpanels;

3. a bottom indexing and support panel containing therein a plurality ofsubstantially uniformly spaced projections ris ing in an uprightdirection from said panel, each of said projections containing disposedtherein a recess adapted to engage at least a portion of the bottomsection of said article so as to prevent any substantial lateralmovement of said article relative to said bottom indexing and supportpanel.

. a pair of internal bottom panels foldably connected to opposed wallpanels, each of said panels containing therein a plurality ofsubstantially uniformly spaced apertures, said apertures adapted to fitaround the periphery of the projections of the bottom article indexingpanel, said bottom article indexing panel being sandwiched between saidexternal and said internal bottom panels;

. a top indexing panel containing therein a plurality of substantiallyunifonnly spaced female recesses projecting upwardly from said topindexing panel, said recesses adapted to peripherally circumscribe atleast a portion of the top section of said article;

LII

6. a pair of internal top panels foldably connected to opposed wallpanels, said internal top panels each containing therein a plurality ofsubstantially evenly spaced apertures adapted to peripherallycircumseribe said portions of said female recesses into which saidportion of said top section of said article is inserted; and

7. a pair of external top panels foldably connected to opposed wallpanels, said internal top panels being sandwiched between said top paneland said external top panels.

21. The case of claim wherein the bottom indexing and support panel andthe top indexing panel are flexible and are fabricated frompolyethylene.

22. The case of claim 20 wherein a plurality of layers of packagedarticles are employed, said case further including a separator layerassembly disposed between adjacent layers of articles, said assemblycomprising:

a. a top indexing panel containing therein at least one female recessprojecting in an upright direction, said recess adapted to peripherallycircumscribe at least a portion of the top section of an article of afirst lower layer in the case;

b. a first separator panel containing therein at least a single apertureadapted to peripherally c'ircumscribe the portion of the female recessof (a) into which said portion of the top section of the articles insaid lower layer is inserted;

c. a bottom indexing and support panel resting atop said first separatorpanel, said bottom support panel having at least one projection risingin an upright direction from said bottom support panel, said projectionbeing adapted to engage at least a portion of the bottom section of anarticle in a second upper layer in the case, said second upper layerbeing vertically disposed above said first lower layer, so as to preventany substantial lateral movement of the bottom of said article relativeto said bottom indexing and support panel; and v d. a second separatorpanel containing therein at least a single aperture adapted to fit overthe projections of said bottom indexing panel (c), said panel (0) beingsandwiched between said first and second separator panels.

23. Tile case of claim 22 further including a third separator panelsandwiched between said first separator panel and said bottom indexingand support panel (c).

24. The case of claim 22 wherein panels (a) and (c) are fabricated forma plastic material.

25. The case of claim 24 wherein said plastic material is polyethylene.

26. The case of claim 22 wherein said panel (a) contains a plurality ofsubstantially uniformly spaced female recesses and panel (c) contains aplurality of substantially uniformly spaced projections and wherein saidfirst and second separator panels each contain a plurality of aperturescorresponding, respectively, to the number of said female recesses andprojections.

i i t i Patent No.

Inventor(s) C01. 7, line 12,

Col. 11, line 9,

C01. 8, line (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLE1CHER,JR. Attesting Officer UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated November 30, 1971 Robert Louis Gordon Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

"ensuring" should be ensuing delete "the" before "to";

an should be can "to" after "comprises" should be a.

"top panel" (first occurrence) should be top indexing panel Signed andsealed this 1 8th day of July I 972.

ROBERT GOT'ISCHALK Commissioner of Patents )RM PO-IOSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC60375-F'69 t \Ls cnvrl uuuuuuuuuuuu .1 rrrr r: n

1. A case for the shipment of an article in a substantially uprightposition and in spaced lateral separation from adjoining articles andportions of said case, comprising:
 1. A plurality of wall panels, saidwall panels foldably interconnected to form a wall panel unit, an endpanel of said unit being affixed to the opposed end panel of said unit;2. at least one external bottom panel foldably connected to a wallpanel;
 3. a bottom indexing and support panel, said indexing bottompanel having at least one projection rising in an upright direction fromsaid panel, said projection adapted to engage at least a portion of thebottom of said article so as to prevent any substantial lateral movementof the bottom of said article relative to said bottom indexing panel; 4.at least one internal bottom panel foldably connected to a wall panel,said internal bottom panel containing therein at least one aperturewhich is adapted to peripherally circumscribe the projection of saidbottom indexing panel, said bottom indexing panel being sandwichedbetween said external and said internal bottom panels.
 5. a top indexingpanel Containing therein at least one female recess projecting in asubstantially upright direction from said top indexing panel, saidrecess adapted to peripherally circumscribe at least a portion of thetop of said article;
 6. at least one internal top panel foldablyconnected to a wall panel, said internal top panel containing therein atleast a single aperture which is adapted to peripherally circumscribethe portion of said female recess into which said portion of the top ofsaid article is inserted; and
 7. at least one external top panelfoldably connected to a wall panel, said internal top panel beingsandwiched between said top indexing panel and said external top panel.2. at least one external bottom panel foldably connected to a wallpanel;
 2. a pair of external bottom panels foldably connected to opposedwall panels;
 2. The case of claim 1 wherein said bottom indexing andsupport panel and said top indexing panel are fabricated from athermoformed plastic material.
 3. The case of claim 2 wherein saidplastic material is polyethylene.
 3. a bottom indexing and support panelcontaining therein a plurality of substantially uniformly spacedprojections rising in an upright direction from said panel, each of saidprojections containing disposed therein a recess adapted to engage atleast a portion of the bottom section of said article so as to preventany substantial lateral movement of said article relative to said bottomindexing and support panel.
 3. a bottom indexing and support panel, saidindexing bottom panel having at least one projection rising in anupright direction from said panel, said projection adapted to engage atleast a portion of the bottom of said article so as to prevent anysubstantial lateral movement of the bottom of said article relative tosaid bottom indexing panel;
 4. at least one internal bottom panelfoldably connected to a wall panel, said internal bottom panelcontaining therein at least one aperture which is adapted toperipherally circumscribe the projection of said bottom indexing panel,said bottom indexing panel being sandwiched between said external andsaid internal bottom panels.
 4. a pair of internal bottom panelsfoldably connected to opposed wall panels, each of said panelscontaining therein a plurality of substantially uniformly spacedapertures, said apertures adapted to fit around the periphery of theprojections of the bottom article indexing panel, said bottom articleindexing panel being sandwiched between said external and said internalbottom panels;
 4. The case of claim 1 wherein said bottom indexing andsupport panel contains a plurality of said projections and wherein saidtop indexing panel contains a plurality of female recesses, and whereinsaid internal bottom panel and internal top panel contain a plurality ofapertures corresponding, respectively, to the number of said projectionsand female recesses.
 5. The case of claim 1 wherein said projectioncomprises an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical walldisposed within said outer wall to define a circumferential groovebetween said inner and outer cylindrical walls into which the bottom ofthe article is insertable.
 5. a top indexing panel containing therein aplurality of substantially uniformly spaced female recesses projectingupwardly from said top indexing panel, said recesses adapted toperipherally circumscribe at least a portion of the top section of saidarticle;
 5. a top indexing panel Containing therein at least one femalerecess projecting in a substantially upright direction from said topindexing panel, said recess adapted to peripherally circumscribe atleast a portion of the top of said article;
 6. at least one internal toppanel foldably connected to a wall panel, said internal top panelcontaining therein at least a single aperture which is adapted toperipherally circumscribe the portion of said female recess into whichsaid portion of the top of said article is inserted; and
 6. a pair ofinternal top panels foldably connected to opposed wall panels, saidinternal top panels each containing therein a plurality of substantiallyevenly spaced apertures adapted to peripherally circumscribe saidportions of said female recesses into which said portion of said topsection of said article is inserted; and
 6. The case of claim 1 whereinsaid projection comprises a cylindrical plug which provides a male plugfor insertion into the bottom of the article.
 7. The case of claim 6wherein the aperture of said internal bottom panel is dimensioned toprovide an annular groove between the periphery of the plug and theperiphery of the aperture, the bottom of the article being insertableinto said groove.
 7. a pair of external top panels foldably connected toopposed wall panels, said internal top panels being sandwiched betweensaid top panel and said external top panels.
 7. at least one externaltop panel foldably connected to a wall panel, said internal top panelbeing sandwiched between said top indexing panel and said external toppanel.
 8. The case of claim 1 wherein said projection comprises a plughaving disposed therein a recess of hemispherical configuration intowhich the bottom of the article is insertable.
 9. The case of claim 1wherein said bottom indexing and support panel contains therein at leastone aperture to provide communication between the internal and externalbottom panels.
 10. The case of claim 9 wherein internal and externalbottom panels are attached to each other by an adhesive disposed in saidaperture of said bottom indexing and support panel.
 11. The case ofclaim 1 wherein said case contains a plurality of internal and externaltop panels and a plurality of internal and external bottom panels. 12.The case of claim 1 further including a flap foldably connected to theinternal top panel, said flap being folded onto the upper surface ofsaid internal top panel to provide communication between the internaland external top panels.
 13. The case of claim 11 further including aplurality of flaps each foldably connected to an internal top panel,each of said flaps being folded onto the upper surface of an internaltop panel to provide communication between the internal and external toppanels.
 14. The case of claim 1 wherein a plurality of layers ofpackaged articles are employed further including a separator layerassembly disposed between adjacent layers of articles, said assemblycomprising: a. a top indexing panel containing therein at least onefemale recess projecting in a substantially upright direction from saidtop indexing panel, said recess adapted to peripherally circumscribe atleast a portion of the top section of an article in a first lower layerof the case; b. a first separator panel containing therein at least asingle aperture adapted to peripherally circumscribe the portion of saidfemale recess of (a) into which said portion of the top section of saidarticle in the lower layer is inserted, panel (b) resting atop panel(a); c. a bottom indexing and support panel resting atop said firStseparator panel, said bottom support panel having at least oneprojection rising in an upright direction from said bottom supportpanel, said projection adapted to engage at least a portion of thebottom of an article in a second upper layer in the case so as toprevent any substantial lateral movement of the bottom of the articlerelative to said panel (c), said second upper layer being verticallydisposed above said first lower layer; and d. a second separator panelcontaining therein at least a single aperture adapted to peripherallycircumscribe the projections of said bottom indexing panel (c), saidpanel (c) being sandwiched between said first and second separatorpanels.
 15. The case of claim 14 wherein said bottom indexing andsupport panel (c) contains a plurality of projections and wherein saidtop indexing panel (a) contains a plurality of female recesses, andwherein the first and second separator panels contain a plurality ofapertures corresponding, respectively, to the number of said femalerecesses and projections.
 16. The case of claim 14 wherein said panels(a) and (c) are fabricated from a thermoformed plastic material.
 17. Thecase of claim 14 wherein said first and second separator panels arefoldably interconnected.
 18. The case of claim 14 further including athird separator panel sandwiched between said first separator panel andsaid bottom indexing and support panel (c).
 19. The case of claim 18wherein said first, second, and third separator panels are foldablyinterconnected.
 20. A shipping case for the shipment of an article in asubstantially upright position and in spaced lateral separation fromadjoining articles and portions of said case, comprising:
 21. The caseof claim 20 wherein the bottom indexing and support panel and the topindexing panel are flexible and are fabricated from polyethylene. 22.The case of claim 20 wherein a plurality of layers of packaged articlesare employed, said case further including a separator layer assemblydisposed between adjacent layers of articles, said assembly comprising:a. a top indexIng panel containing therein at least one female recessprojecting in an upright direction, said recess adapted to peripherallycircumscribe at least a portion of the top section of an article of afirst lower layer in the case; b. a first separator panel containingtherein at least a single aperture adapted to peripherally circumscribethe portion of the female recess of (a) into which said portion of thetop section of the articles in said lower layer is inserted; c. a bottomindexing and support panel resting atop said first separator panel, saidbottom support panel having at least one projection rising in an uprightdirection from said bottom support panel, said projection being adaptedto engage at least a portion of the bottom section of an article in asecond upper layer in the case, said second upper layer being verticallydisposed above said first lower layer, so as to prevent any substantiallateral movement of the bottom of said article relative to said bottomindexing and support panel; and d. a second separator panel containingtherein at least a single aperture adapted to fit over the projectionsof said bottom indexing panel (c), said panel (c) being sandwichedbetween said first and second separator panels.
 23. THe case of claim 22further including a third separator panel sandwiched between said firstseparator panel and said bottom indexing and support panel (c).
 24. Thecase of claim 22 wherein panels (a) and (c) are fabricated form aplastic material.
 25. The case of claim 24 wherein said plastic materialis polyethylene.
 26. The case of claim 22 wherein said panel (a)contains a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced female recessesand panel (c) contains a plurality of substantially uniformly spacedprojections and wherein said first and second separator panels eachcontain a plurality of apertures corresponding, respectively, to thenumber of said female recesses and projections.